A question about immigrating with my pet parrot

[Remrov]

Hello everybody,

I'm being sponsored by my boyfriend and when I have an approval for our application I also want to take my pet dwarf parrot (agapornis) to Montreal Canada.

But I'm extremely worried about what's going to happen to him. I've read that he has to be in quarantine for at least 30 days when we arrive in Canada, and I'm also worried about the planeflight itself.

Is there a chance that I can keep my pet parrot Pilaf at my own home in quantine?
I do only have one parrot and he never gets in touch with other birds or animals.

And when this is not allowed. What does a quarantine centre look like?
Are the people who work there nice to my Pilaf?
Pilaf always sits on my shoulder (for 12 years already), and is always out of his cage. I'm just really worried about Pilaf being in some centre inside a cage for at least 30 days.

And how about the planeflight. Is he going to survive this?

Does anybody know more about these things?

I hope somebody can help me.

 

[OhCanadiana]

Take a look at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/imports/policies/live-animals/pet-imports/birds-other/eng/1326819245810/1326819465543. Since you need to get pre-approval from your area AFIA office and make arrangements with your provincial authorities, I'd give them a call and ask them your questions to make sure you get tailored info to your case.

 

[Remrov]

Thank you!
I'll look into it.

 

[Leon]

If you look at the link already posts you see this:

Once in Canada, pet birds must be quarantined for a minimum of 45 days. During this time, a CFIA inspector will visit to verify that the birds are healthy and that there are no signs of disease.

Pre-approval of the quarantine is necessary (before the issuance of the import permit). Contact the CFIA Area Import Office in the province where you plan to reside to arrange for the inspection and approval of your proposed Canadian premises for the quarantine of the birds.

So it does look like you could set up a quarantine at your boyfriends place but it has to be arranged before importing the parrot and also says you must travel with the parrot so maybe your boyfriend can take care of setting up the quarantine and getting it approved and you arrive later with the parrot.

If you look at https://www.klm.com/travel/nl_en/prepare_for_travel/travel_planning/pets/index.htm and http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/baggage/pets.html you can see some guidelines about travelling with pets. They allow small dogs and cats to travel in the cabin in a kennel but it doesn't say anything about parrots. Still, doesn't hurt to ask. If they are not allowed to travel in the cabin, they will sit in the cargo area. It will be heated and it should not be uncomfortable for him. Maybe you should also ask your vet if there is something special you must do.

 

[Remrov]

Thank you for this usefull information and links.

I will definitely ask an avian vet. And I found an organisation called 'animals to fly'. I understand from them that birds are only allowed to travel with them, with lufthansa. And I can travel with the same plane.

 

[canadiangirl78]

Avoid putting your parrot in cargo at all costs!

 

[Remrov]

Okay, thank you for your advice!

 

[Sunshine87]

As a ground handler for a few different airlines, I've seen MANY different types of animals come out of the belly of an airplane.. but never a pet parrot. I would definitely seek the advice of a vet on the safest, most stress-free way of getting it to Canada and ensure that it's acceptable with Lufthansa or other airline you fly with. Airlines have policies about how and what animals are caged in for travel.

Good luck!

 

[ihabkal]

give him the address and let him fly there, he has wings doesn't he?

Have you seen the movie RIO? if you like parrots, it is full of them.

 

[Steph C]

give him the address and let him fly there, he has wings doesn't he?

I think that's the most sensible thing I've heard all day!

 

[canadianwoman]

What country is the parrot in? Canada won't allow parrots from some countries in at all, quarantine or no quarantine.
First find out from the Canadian government whether the parrot will be allowed in at all, given its country of origin. Then worry about the quarantine provisions, and then about the airline.

 

[GetUsHome]

As a ground handler for a few different airlines, I've seen MANY different types of animals come out of the belly of an airplane.. but never a pet parrot. I would definitely seek the advice of a vet on the safest, most stress-free way of getting it to Canada and ensure that it's acceptable with Lufthansa or other airline you fly with. Airlines have policies about how and what animals are caged in for travel.

Good luck!

How freaked out were these animals? There maybe some flying in our dog's future and we are wondering.

thx

 

[Sunshine87]

How freaked out were these animals? There maybe some flying in our dog's future and we are wondering.

thx

I've heard it's much more stressful for older dogs. My advice: take your dog on a LONG walk prior to putting it in the kennel for the airport so he's tired out, and make sure he relieves himself. Use old towels or other bedding that is okay if it gets thrown out... because (depending on the length of the flight) almost every dog has had to go to the bathroom in their kennel. The cargo hold of an airplane is pressurized and heated, and just like a refrigerator, as soon as you close the door the lights go out. So he's more likely to settle down with the lights off if he's really frightened. However traumatic air travel is for a dog, as soon as they see their owners' familiar face and can get out and stretch their legs, I'm sure the memory of the scary plane quickly fades away.

 

[GetUsHome]

thanks for the information.

I've heard it's much more stressful for older dogs. My advice: take your dog on a LONG walk prior to putting it in the kennel for the airport so he's tired out, and make sure he relieves himself. Use old towels or other bedding that is okay if it gets thrown out... because (depending on the length of the flight) almost every dog has had to go to the bathroom in their kennel. The cargo hold of an airplane is pressurized and heated, and just like a refrigerator, as soon as you close the door the lights go out. So he's more likely to settle down with the lights off if he's really frightened. However traumatic air travel is for a dog, as soon as they see their owners' familiar face and can get out and stretch their legs, I'm sure the memory of the scary plane quickly fades away.

 

[steaky]

A LONG walk is sometimes not practicable, especially when your dog is stubborn and not trained to sleep in the kennel or the owner has so much things to take care before departure. Anyways, this was my experience bringing my dog to Canada myself rather than hiring a transport company:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/landing-in-calgary-t94074.0.html;msg1230706#msg1230706

I was so surprised that my dog did not go to the bathroom in his kennel for more than 15 hours!